Reserved [Book V]

Dark Out

Music was my best companion for the entire weekend. I've listened to various things for inspiration and composed one I'm going to submit tomorrow, during the process thinking of how I would feel if the piece was posted on the bulletin. Sweater guy will see it for sure. I wonder if he'd be impressed. Not that I've made the poem for his approval or anything, it just matters that he's the closest I have to a friend and the opinion of one matters to me.

My brother was asked during dinner and he finally spoke up regarding his problem. It was something concerning his work, nothing that I should be worried about. But even so, it was as if I stared at an outer glass shell and into a spirit I knew like the back of my hand. It wasn't about work. And we weren't supposed to know.

***

Areum was by the bulletin on Tuesday, just like she was every time her classes ended. This time though, she wasn't just staring at the board but also, walking towards the office with an ear-to-ear grin and a script she practiced a thousand times.

Even with the rehearsed lines, a simple 'thank you' would suffice. She just thought that the expression of gratefulness for her first piece in the writers club should be special, and so the practice of a deep bow and a hundred thanks was running through her head.

"Hi." Areum greeted softly, head peeking by the door and eyes focused on the person behind the first desk, Luna, a college junior in literature. The latter waved at her to come in and Areum immediately bowed down the moment she approached. "Thank you very much for posting it."

"Don't be too formal. It makes me uncomfortable." Luna laughed and gestured for Areum to sit down.

Luna was responsible for reviewing everything that wasn't going to end up in the issue of the school newspaper, especially if it came from a new member. At times when the literature department gets sponsored, the writers club creates a literary magazine, basically composed of stories from students all over the university. It didn't matter what they studied. If they've got a story to tell, a piece to share, or a work of their imagination put into writing, Luna handles the process and chooses the articles that would be published in the magazine.

Areum was ecstatic. At the very first time she submitted her work, it had already ended up in the bulletin.

"I really liked that poem, Areum." Luna praised, pointing at the direction. "Do you have any more of those?"

"Not for the moment, but I've been working on it." She replied. "I only create when I'm inspired and there's inspiration everywhere, so I guess I could make more pieces this week."

"That's great to hear. But you don't have to submit everything as soon as you finish them. President says we can only replace the featured piece in the bulletin every week and since we've put your poem up today, I guess your day would always be Tuesday." Luna placed a bunch of printed papers on the side of the desk so she could focus more on Areum. "Do you think you can give me something every Monday to review?"

Areum nodded at once. "Sure."

"Good." Luna copied her nods and crossed her arms over the desk. "I suggest you don't push yourself much about it. Inspiration only attacks whenever it wants to and you seem to have a lot of potential. I trust your skill. Write only when you feel like it and don't force the words to come out."

"Understood." Areum smiled. "So, the piece is going to be up until Monday?"

"Yes." Luna replied. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, I just came in here to thank you." Areum stood up and bowed again. "I'll be going now."

Luna waved. "Remember what I said."